Called the “Father of American Medicine,” he signed the Declaration of Independence, was surgeon general of the Continental Army and was a staff member of the Pennsylvania Hospital, where he opened the first free medical clinic. His name was Benjamin Rush, and he was born this day, Jan. 4, 1745. Rush also founded a Bible Society, a Sunday School Union and a Society for the Abolition of Slavery. Dr. Benjamin Rush stated: “The only foundation for … education in a republic is … religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object … of all republican governments.”